Critic’s Rating: 4 / 5.0
4
There are some places where you don’t bring your personal drama, and the workplace is a big one. It’s both a spoken and unspoken rule that Matlock seems to defy.
To be fair, Kathy Bates’ character is taking all her work drama back home, and I don’t think there are any rules for that, right?
I haven’t been married for a very long time, and I don’t remember the guidelines.
However, I think Matlock is giving a masterclass on all the things you’re not supposed to do when handling marital mishaps.
Honestly, Matlock is starting to feel like the Olympia Lawrence Show, with the character having monopolized the inter-office drama.
Of All the People Julian Could Have an Affair With, Why in the World Did He Choose Her?
First, I have to ask: What the hell was Julian thinking by having an affair or a one-night stand with the go-to jury consultant at Jacobson Moore? In what world did he think that was going to end well?
We don’t have all the details leading up to Julian’s questionable judgment, but does it really matter? The man slept with someone from the firm — the same firm his wife works at.
At this point, I don’t even think it’s the cheating that Olympia should be mad about. A drunken hookup at a bar is one thing, but of all the people in the world, he had to pick the human lie detector with legs for days.
However, does anyone else think Olympia might be taking things a little too far with the request she made of Julian (Jason Ritter) at the end of the episode?
Asking him to find a job at another law firm is a big ask. For starters, are Julian and Olympia still divorcing, or are they trying to put things back together? They’re giving mixed messages.
If they are getting back together, then Julian will have to make the sacrifice for their marriage. However, if they are still on the road to splitsville, I don’t see a point in the request.
Besides, I’m starting to think Olympia won’t have to worry about Shae for much longer.
All Signs Point To Shae Despite Matlock Trying To Sidestep The Revelation
Did anyone else notice the convenient info drop that Shae had been involved with the Wellbrexa case? The series tried to sweep it under the rug, but you all know I don’t let anything slip through the cracks.
The writers even tried to double down on the misdirection by having Matty say that she’s eyeballing Julian for the cover-up. I don’t buy it.
Julian spends so much time trying not to be like Senior, so why would he do something he staunchly knows his dad would approve of?
Furthermore, a reader pointed out at the start of Matlock Season 1 that the culprit would likely be a character that has only been seen once or twice.
At first, I had my sights set on Senior’s assistant, Stuart. The character had been popping up more often, and by “Belly of the Beast,” I was convinced it was Senior’s right-hand man.
However, after this new revelation, I totally think it was Shae.
Her character hasn’t exactly been set up to be the most likable. Plot-wise, she’s a great scapegoat, but there’s a better option that would make for a more compelling story.
Again, Matlock Is Feeling Like the Olympia Lawrence Show with How She Seems to Be at the Center of Everything
If Olympia was the one Matty has been looking for, it would be an explosive roller coaster of emotions.
After spending the entire season only growing closer with every episode, it would be a massive crushing blow, but it would also make for some incredible storytelling.
Also, can you imagine Edwin’s “told you so” face if he was right about Olympia? He was far too adamant about Matty not getting too friendly with Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) for all of that just to have been bluster.
And hats off to Kathy Bates and Sam Anderson for making their marital bickering feel so genuine. They do argue like an old married couple, which is probably why their fights feel so intense.
To be fair, Matty and Edwin took on a pretty big plan for two people in their seventies. Then again, as Sarah and Billy are finding out, being young does not provide any usable wisdom.
Would The Show Still Be Called Matlock If Matty Goes Back to Being Madeline Kingston?
Is it me, or do the Matlock writers treat Billy and Sarah (Leah Lewis) the same way Olympia treats them? Those particular characters feel like they are always on the outskirts of the main plot.
Any time the scenes switch to Billy and Sarah, it feels like we’re looking behind the curtain and seeing where the real grunt work is happening.
Billy’s heart was ripped out in Matlock Season 1 Episode 7, and the breakup has been treated as the least interesting thing that has happened.
Then there is Sarah and Kira’s budding relationship that has yet to feature a single scene outside the office. I’m curious if Billy and Sarah secretly live at Jacobson Moore with how the characters are never seen exiting the doors.
At least viewers were treated to a brief but fun look at Sarah and Billy doing undercover work. I loved the club kid looks, but there was too much going on with Sarah’s makeup.
Suffice it to say, the two members of “Team You Three” feel less supported and more like recurring characters on Matlock.
Still, it doesn’t diminish Billy (David Del Rio) and Sarah’s heartbreak when they discover the truth about Matty — unless, by some miracle, Matty cracks the case without revealing her real identity.
But, let’s be honest, how long could Matty continue to go by Matlock and not Kingston without setting off alarms somewhere?
Then again, how would the show justify using the Matlock name if Matty reveals herself to be Madeline Kingston?
It’s ingenious how the writers have set up the plot to make it almost impossible to guess where the story is going.
Either way, we know whatever direction the show takes will be amazing, or CBS wouldn’t have given the series such an early renewal just after the show premiered.
Do you think Olympia’s request to Julian was too far?
How do you feel about Billy and Sarah as Characters?
Drop a comment below to let me know what you liked about this episode, and join me again when I review another episode of Matlock!
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